Major Blair Wark, 32nd Battalion, Victoria Cross action during fighting from Bellicourt to Joncourt, France.
Blair Wark had been a militia officer in New South Wales before enlisting as an officer with the 32nd Battalion, AIF, in mid-1915. A year later he fought in the battle of Fromelles, where he was highly commended for his work, despite being wounded. Next year at Polygon Wood he won the Distinguished Service Order.
Wark’s finest feat took place during the attack at Bellicourt, on the Hindenburg Line, in his battalion’s final action. During 29 September - 1 October 1918, he constantly showed outstanding leadership, often in advance of his troops. He was responsible for the capture of some field artillery, the silencing of machine-guns and the capture of many prisoners.
An outstanding citizen and soldier, Wark was active in business and public affairs in Sydney. He was commanding a militia battalion during the Second World War when he died suddenly aged 47.
